Deuteronomy 17:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The confirmed idolater is brought to the town gate and executed by stoning.
The Context of Deuteronomy 17:5
Execution of the idolater by public stoning.
What Does Deuteronomy 17:5 Mean?
Public execution at the gate serves both as justice and as a deterrent. The gate was the place of civic assembly and judgment, so carrying out the sentence there makes the consequence visible and unmistakable to the entire community. All must witness what idolatry costs.
Stoning as a method of execution involves the entire community—each person participates in the judgment. This collective act binds the people together in reaffirming their covenant commitment and removes from their midst the one who has rejected it.
Deuteronomy 17:5 in the Original Language
sa'kal (סָקַל), 'stone' — to execute by throwing stones; a communal act rather than state execution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 17:5
What does Deuteronomy 17:5 mean?
The confirmed idolater is brought to the town gate and executed by stoning.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 17:5?
Execution of the idolater by public stoning.